RIP Raul Malo

  The first time I heard the Mavericks was in the early 90's on KPIG-FM, my local Americana station on the Monterey Peninsula, California.  The title track of their most successful album, What A Crying Shame,  is what made me a life long fan.  The album is an Americana touchstone.  This was a band with an eclectic sound:  Country, Americana, Rock, Pop, R&B, Tex-Mex, Latin.  It was a wonderful mix.  And what set it all apart was Raul Malo's voice.  A little Orbison and Elvis Presley. Here we had a vocalist who could sing any kind of genre.  Not only is the Mavericks catalog strong, Malo also released strong great solo albums.  

  I always felt Malo should have been a household name.  Vocally he was as great as any singer of his generation.  Maybe a little more exposure could have pushed him into superstardom?  But then I feel Malo was comfortable with where he was career wise.  The Mavericks put out many excellent albums, but they really came to life in concert.  Every show a sell out.  And I was lucky enough to seem them twice.  In 2016 and 2023.  Each time they put on a superb show.  And Malo's voice as strong as it was when I first heard him in the early 90's.  Raul Malo's music will be one that will be rediscovered by many for years to come.